IT’S OFFICIAL US Airways and American has MERGED!
American Airlines emerged from bankruptcy protection and US Airways culminated its long pursuit of a merger partner as the two completed their deal Monday to create the world's biggest airline.
It's the latest in a series of mergers that will leave four airlines controlling more than 80 percent of the U.S. air-travel market. With less competition, the airlines have successfully limited the number of seats, boosting prices and returning to profitability.
American's old parent, AMR Corp., is gone, replaced by the new American Airlines Group Inc. CEO Doug Parker remotely rang the opening bell of the Nasdaq Stock Market, flanked on stage by executives and labor leaders of both airlines and in front of a crowd of cheering employees.
"Our goal here is to go and restore American Airlines to its position as the greatest airline in the world," Parker said. The largest airline as recently as 2008, American struggled through a decade of huge losses and fell behind United and Delta in size.
For passengers, the merger won't mean many immediate changes. Whether the deal leads to higher ticket prices, the issue at the heart of legal challenges from the government and consumer groups, remains to be seen.
Parker dismissed the notion that fewer airlines will lead to higher airfares because, he said, the new American plans to keep all the service currently offered by American and US Airways.
"Airline prices are like prices in other businesses -- they track with supply and demand, and we're not reducing any of the supply," he said in an interview with The Associated Press.
Elite members of the two frequent-flier programs will get reciprocal benefits in early January, with other changes being phased in, executives said. The airlines expect to soon be able to book passengers on each other's flights, increasing the destinations available to customers of both.
It will take about two years to combine American's fleet and workforce with those of US Airways, Parker said. US Airways will join Continental, Northwest and other airlines that now exist only in the memories of employees and longtime travelers.
Airline mergers are notoriously troublesome. United has been plagued by computer-network problems since combining with Continental, leading to outages and flight delays. Airlines' technology systems handle everything from passenger information to weight and balance calculations on every flight. Then there is the difficulty in merging two sets of employees who, in this case, are represented by different unions. US Airways has been down that path before -- it still hasn't fully integrated pilot crews since its merger with America West, and that deal closed in 2005.
Unions at American received Parker like a conquering hero. Their support for a merger led by US Airways executives was a turning point when AMR CEO Tom Horton still hoped to keep his airline independent. For their efforts, the unions won stock in the new company.
On Monday, Parker made symbolic moves to extend a hand to labor -- painting over parking spaces once reserved for executives, and asking Nasdaq to inscribe a commemorative opening bell to the employees instead of to him. Still, the honeymoon could be a short one.
"His greatest challenge is keeping positive sentiment on his side," said Vicki Bryan, an analyst with bond-research firm Gimme Credit. "He's at the peak of 'happy' right now. He's got to keep the unions happy; he's got to keep the computers running; he's got to keep the balloon in the air."
In morning trading, new shares of American Airlines Group -- traded under ticker symbol AAL -- were up 45 cents to $24.55.
The Obamas Host 2013 Kennedy Center Honors Reception
The First Lady, Michelle Obama looked real chic in her amazing green custom Marchesa dress for the 2013 Kennedy Center Honors reception held in the East Room of the White House in Washington, on Sunday, December 8, 2013. Michelle Obama and President Obama hosted the annual event, which celebrates the 2013 Kennedy Center Honors recipients. This year Shirley MacLaine, Billy Joel, and Herbie Hancock, were among those artists honored.
Michelle Obama dazzled in an emerald green custom Marchesa gown as the ‘Piano Man,’ Billy Joel, was awarded the nation’s highest honor in Washington Sunday for influencing American culture through the arts. Joel, one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time with such hits as ‘Just the Way You Are,’ ‘Uptown Girl’ and ‘Allentown’ joined Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, opera star Martina Arroyo and actress Shirley MacLaine in receiving the Kennedy Center Honors in a star-studded event at the White House.
All of them have been playing music, dancing or singing since they were children and Joel said the honor stands apart from his six Grammys.
AFI Announces Top 10 Films And TV Shows
Honoring the best and brightest on screen this year, the American Film Institute announced its movie and television winners for the annual awards.
Determined by a jury of AFI members, scholars, film and television artists, critics, and AFI trustees, the ten film honorees are "American Hustle," "Captain Phillips," "Fruitvale Station," "Gravity," "Her," "Inside Llewyn Davis," "Nebraska," "Saving Mr. Banks," "12 Years a Slave," and "The Wolf of Wall Street."
According to the organization, the AFI awards feature films and shows "which best advance the art of the moving image, enhance the rich cultural heritage of America's art form, inspire audiences and artists alike and/or make a mark on American society."
Nicki Minaj Celebrates 31st Birthday With Pink Lamborghini & Boob Cake
Nicki Minaj is not one to short her audience when it comes to theatrics so it comes as no surprise that her birthday party was a pure spectacle.
In a good way.
The Pink Friday starlet never squanders an opportunity to put her favorite color on display and she arrived to her 31st birthday party (which tripled as a promotional event) in a pink Lamborghini Aventador, driven by her struggle sidepiece, Scaff Breezy.
Decked out in Chanel, Alexander McQueen and most likely ripe with her own personal fragrance, Minajesty, Nicki flaunted her curvaceous figure for cameras as guests sipped on Myx Moscato, with whom she's currently a brand ambassador for.
Of course it's not a birthday without a cake and Nicki's club went extra sweet on her, supplying three delicacies for her born day dedication. The first one came in the form of a designer box with "Nicki & Co." scribed in chocolate icing. The second was layered in pink icing and shaped as microphone with "Happy Birthday to the most talented woman on the planet" beautifully written in cursive.
As for the third, Nicki loves her boobs and that's what partygoers at that night, as a completely NSFW image was plastered on the top. No doubt it was...tasty. Just saying.
Her gift was the real treat, however. Nicki took to The 'Gram to show off her new stripper pole, regrettably saying "That awkward moment when u get a stripper pole for your birthday."
It's not like she doesn't have the soundtrack for it
GIVING BACK: Ne-Yo WELCOMES you To The Compound & The Boys And Girls Club HOLIDAY Giveaway
Ne-Yo (posing above with Monyetta Shaw and their kids Madilyn Grace Smith and Mason Evan Smith) was a Do Gooder along with the Boys & Girls Club of America. He and his celeb friends had an evening of giving that touched the lives of nearly 500 underprivileged children.
During the event, Ne-Yo, whose Compound Foundation has been a longtime partner with Boys & Girls Club, was presented with an award from Toys For Tots by the US Marines.
Ne-Yo's mom, Loraine Smith, oversees the Compound Foundation.
He recently spoke about his mom, revealing how she inspired his sense of giving.
"She is the person who taught me if you are given blessings you can be a blessing to someone else, and if you can help – you help. It’s not about cameras flashing or someone patting you on the back, it’s not about what you get in return, it’s simply about helping because it’s the right thing to do."
Awww.
Atlanta celebs came out to support, including Bobby V and RHOA star Kandi Burruss.
Keshia Knight Pulliam was also on hand to sign autographs and spread holiday cheer.
During a recent interview, Ne-Yo was asked about his rewarding work with the organization, "Just the looks on the kids’ faces and knowing that I have given a kid who didn’t have a reason to smile, a reason to smile."
Author and former reality tv star Toya Wright was also a part of the event. She had her daughter Reginae Carter there too.
Toya joined Monyetta to help pass out gifts.
Kandi, Monyetta, Keshia and Toya all posed for a holiday pic.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed supported the event.
And Black Santa was there in full force.
Gotta love it!
Eva Marcille, Kevin McCall & Friends Throw Baby Shower, Reveals Baby’s Name
Over the week, mommy-to-be and America’s Next Top Model alum Eva Marcille and boyfriend singer/songwriter Kevin McCall had a baby shower for their bundle of joy. Back in August, we reported the two were expecting and now the baby is almost here. Kevin and Eva celebrated the pink themed shower with family and friends, and they also revealed the baby girl’s name is Marley. Throughout the night, the couple took pictures, shared some laughs, and Kevin wore Eva’s belly cast which displayed Marley’s name. Eva’s cousin, makeup artist (and Tamar Braxton’s Creative Director) Terrell Mullins was in attendance, along with model Natasha Ellie, and friend Leslie Rosales. The two have been dating since the beginning of this year, and this will be their first child together. Kevin has a child from a previous relationship. Peep pics below.
Congrats to Eva and Kevin
Naughty Rita Ora Sits On Santa's Lap To Promote Her Material Girl Holiday Collection
Hoping for big holiday sales, Rita Ora helped launch the Material Girl Holiday Collection at Macy's in New York City on Monday (December 9).
Dressed in all black, the "Hot Right Now" singer wore a studded leather jacket and heels as she posed for photos on Santa's lap.
Sharing some snapshots of her own on Twitter, the 23-year-old star tweeted, "The moment he realised I'm being Naughty. But he liked it!! Haaaa," and "Don't tell Mrs Claus."
As for her music career, Rita recently told The Sun that she'll be collaborating with Prince on her upcoming album, sharing, "We messed around with some music together and you know, I can't believe he can play so many instruments. All I can say is we've definitely done some music together.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘OH, THE WHO-MANITY’
More like “How the Grinch Stole My Childhood Innocence.”
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
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